The Colorado Rapids announced Friday that they have released forward Caleb Folan “by mutual consent.”

“This will allow us the ability to bring in other players ahead of the season, in positions where we have greater need,” said Technical Director Paul Bravo, in a release.

Folan, of England, was, at 6-foot-2, 178 pounds, a big target for the Rapids, and he scored two special goals in his home debut for the club last April. But that wound up representing one-third of his production for the whole year as he battled ankle and knee injuries in 2011.

Folan had been a bit of a journeyman in England since beginning his career there with Leeds United, after coming up through that club’s youth program. He has played internationally for Ireland, birthplace of his grandparents. He played for Hull City and Middlesborough in England in the year before joining the Rapids.

His departure is the latest in what appears to be a move toward a more Latin flavor for the Rapids. In the weeks since hiring Oscar Pareja as head coach, the club signed Colombian Jaime Castrillon, and now have two international slots left. They are in the process of trying out Colombian Luis Eduardo Zapata and officials have coyly said they are working toward signing an Argentine “number 10.”

The roster must be set at 30, with no more than six players listed as internationals, by March 1.

The Rapids are headed to California next week for training and scrimmages against San Jose and Chivas USA.